The North America Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and RMI have introduced their newest program, Run on Less – Messy Middle, aimed at enhancing sustainability measures in the heavy-duty trucking industry. This initiative specifically addresses the long-haul return-to-base and over-the-road operations, which, while constituting only 9% of total trucking activity, are responsible for an alarming 48% of emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, as detailed in a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
This latest chapter of the Run on Less series focuses on identifying and showcasing viable methods for decarbonizing this niche within the trucking sector. “Each Run has tried to mirror market issues,” says Mike Roeth, executive director at NACFE. “This Run is no different. We are calling it Run on Less – Messy Middle because today’s fleet managers have a variety of options when it comes to what will power their vehicles. While other market segments have proven to be a good fit for battery electric vehicles, we are still looking for the best solutions for the long-haul segment of the industry now and in the future.”
As the fifth event in the Run on Less initiative, which began in 2017 highlighting diesel truck fuel efficiency, this event shifts focus to Class 8 trucks with a gross vehicle weight over 33,001 pounds, whether in sleeper or day cab configurations. Approximately ten fleets will participate, experimenting with various technologies that include battery electric, hydrogen fuel cells, renewable natural gas, bio-diesel, and hybrid systems, along with energy efficiency enhancements tailored to each fuel type.
Roeth underscores the significance of this initiative, stating, “There is a great deal of work being done in the long-haul segment of the market to decarbonize it. This upcoming Run will give us the opportunity to showcase the realities of that market to help fleets make more informed decisions now and in the future about which powertrain options make the most sense for their Class 8 long-haul routes.”
The event is set for September 2025 and will feature NACFE’s pre-Run Bootcamp series, with metrics and dashboards available on the Run on Less website. Throughout the event, NACFE intends to share results and updates via social media platforms alongside blogs and videos, culminating in a detailed report due for publication in early 2026. “We are excited to begin vetting fleets to participate in the Run and to sign on sponsors to help underwrite the cost of the Run,” Roeth added. “All of us at NACFE and RMI are excited to be working on the fifth freight efficiency demonstration in the Run on Less series and look forward to bringing some clarity to the Messy Middle of long-haul trucking.”
Source: The Trucker
